Thursday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 1/18/2018

Miami makes the Amazon cut: City in the running for company’s second headquarters

The online retail giant received 238 applications for what may be the most competitive corporate recruitment effort in history as the company promises to generate about $5 billion in the city it chooses to build a second headquarters employing some 50,000 people. Miami is one of 20 selected as an HQ2 finalist city, the only Florida city on the list. See the announcement from Amazon here. Also read more at the Miami Herald and CNN.

Weston-based Ultimate Software named No. 1 tech workplace for third year

Ultimate Software has been ranked No. 1 on Fortune magazine’s “Best Workplaces in Technology” list for 2018. The Weston-based company, which employs 1,700 people in South Florida, develops software for human resources. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

U.S. missile-deterrence to get upgrade from Florida launch

If North Korea — or any country for that matter — launches a missile, a satellite scheduled to head into space from Florida today will be on the front lines of defense. A 40-minute launch window for the Space Based Infrared System satellite, built by Lockheed Martin, opens at 7:52 p.m. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Jacksonville-based CSX revenue down, earnings up

CSX’s net earnings grew in the fourth quarter despite a drop in revenue. The Jacksonville-based railroad announced adjusted net earnings of $573 million or 64 cents a share for the fourth quarter, compared to $458 million and 49 cents for the same period of 2016. More from the Florida Times-Union.

Clams revitalize coastal village on Florida's new shellfish trail

The dull brown shell of a hard clam may not rival that of a sunset-colored conch, but to the people of Cedar Key, the bivalve is just as beautiful. To understand why, it helps to visit this tiny fishing village. Be prepared to take your time. More from the Chicago Tribune.

Recreation Floridians living that RV life

For a cross section of American travelers, home is literally where the heart is, whether at a high-way truck stop off Interstate 75 or at one of the South Florida campgrounds, parks and resorts that are destinations for many RVers each year.

The demise of the distinctive sign has been rumored many times. This time, it’s no rumor. It looks very likely that by the end of spring the corner of 16th Street and Central Avenue in St. Petersburg will no longer be graced by World Liquors and its iconic overhead sign for the first time since 1961.

Nobody crashed in Monday’s first hours of the new “wrong way” interchange in Miami. But that’s because Miami cops guided confused drivers in the manner of a first-grade teacher keeping wayward students in line on the first day of school.